Pink Wax Scale Whitefly vs San Jose Scale
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pink Wax Scale Whitefly | San Jose Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aleurocanthus woglumi | Diaspidiotus perniciosus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Aleyrodidae | Diaspididae |
| Size | 1-1.5 mm | 1-2 mm diameter |
| Habitat | Orchards | Orchards |
| Diet | Herbivores | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Asia (native), Americas, Africa (invasive) | Worldwide temperate regions |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Pink Wax Scale Whitefly
Known as the citrus blackfly, this whitefly has dark sooty-colored pupae that distinguish it from other whitefly species. Heavy infestations coat leaves in thick black sooty mold.
Did You Know?
It was successfully controlled in many countries using the parasitoid wasp Amitus hesperidum, one of the classic triumphs of biological pest control.
San Jose Scale
A tiny armored scale insect that forms gray encrustations on the bark and fruit of apple, pear, and stone fruit trees. It was one of the first pests to prompt quarantine legislation.
Did You Know?
Its discovery in San Jose, California in 1880 led to the first plant quarantine law in the United States.